[A. CALL TO ORDER] [00:00:07] THIS BUSINESS SESSION OF THE HENRY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION. IN ORDER TO ENSURE PRODUCTIVE MEETING, ATTENDEES AT THE MEETING HAVE AGREED TO THE DECORUM EXPECTED OF A MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. DISRUPTION TO CONDUCTING THE BUSINESS OF THE BOARD WILL RESULT IN THE BOARD MOVING TO RECESS. A VIRTUAL FORMAT OR SUSPENSION OF THE MEETING TO A LATER DATE. WE HAVE A PRODUCTIVE MEETING AHEAD AND I WILL TURN IT OVER TO THE CHAIR. THANK YOU SO MUCH, MISS RIDDELL, AND GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. WELCOME TO THE BUSINESS SESSION OF THE HENRY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION. I WOULD LIKE TO OFFICIALLY CALL OUR MEETING TO ORDER ON MONDAY, APRIL 20TH AT 7:01 P.M. AND IF YOU WOULD, PLEASE STAND AND JOIN ME IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. THANK YOU SO MUCH, EVERYONE. I WILL NOW TURN IT OVER TO DOCTOR PACE FOR HIS [C. WELCOME] WELCOME. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND TO OUR COMMUNITY. WELCOME TO THE APRIL MEETING OF THE HENRY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION. BEFORE WE BEGIN, PLEASE JOIN ME IN A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR THE PASSING OF STUDENTS FROM EASTLAKE ELEMENTARY, DUTCHTOWN HIGH SCHOOL, AND A STAFF MEMBER FROM DUTCHTOWN MIDDLE SCHOOL. THANK YOU. NATIONAL ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS WEEK WAS OBSERVED APRIL 6TH THROUGH THE 10TH WHILE THE DISTRICT WAS CLOSED FOR SPRING BREAK. HOWEVER, WE COULD NOT MISS THE OPPORTUNITY TO CELEBRATE THESE LEADERS WHO PROVIDE VITAL SUPPORT TO OUR SCHOOLS AND COUNTLESS WAYS. WE THANK OUR ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS FOR THEIR IMPACTFUL LEADERSHIP IN OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITIES, AND FOR THEIR MANY CONTRIBUTIONS TO BUILDING BRIGHT FUTURES ACROSS HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS. APRIL IS RECOGNIZED AS THE MONTH OF THE MILITARY CHILD. PLEASE JOIN US IN WEARING PURPLE ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22ND TO HONOR THE SACRIFICES AND EXPERIENCES OF OUR MILITARY CONNECTED STUDENTS. THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR MILITARY FAMILIES WHO SERVE OUR COUNTRY WHILE ALSO CONTRIBUTING TO OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITIES. APRIL IS ALSO CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH, AND WE ASK OUR COMMUNITY TO JOIN US IN WEARING BLUE ON APRIL 24TH TO RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF WORKING TOGETHER TO PREVENT CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT OF ANY KIND. APRIL IS NATIONAL AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH AND LAST WEEK WAS EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN'S WEEK AS WE RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE THE INCREDIBLE STUDENTS, FAMILIES, AND EDUCATORS WHO HELP CREATE INCLUSIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS EVERY DAY. TOGETHER, WE CONTINUE TO PROMOTE, UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORT ALL INDIVIDUALS ACROSS OUR COMMUNITY. LAST BUT NOT LEAST, I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE OUR EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT PERSON OF THE YEAR, MRS. LISA FUENTES MORI, A SCHOOL OFFICE ASSISTANT FROM AUSTIN ROAD MIDDLE SCHOOL, MRS. FUENTES AND 56 OTHER SPIES WERE CELEBRATED A FEW WEEKS AGO AT THE MCDONOUGH PERFORMING ARTS CENTER. I'D LIKE TO TAKE THIS MOMENT TIME TO CONGRATULATE ALL OF OUR SPIES AND MRS. FUENTES. I'D ALSO LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT SEVERAL OF OUR JOB FAMILIES ARE CELEBRATED IN THE MONTH OF APRIL. THEY INCLUDE SCHOOL LIBRARY MONTH, INCLUDING SCHOOL LIBRARIAN DAY, WHICH WAS CELEBRATED ON APRIL 4TH AT SCHOOL LIBRARIAN SCHOOL LIBRARY WORKERS DAY ON APRIL 21ST, AS WELL AS OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY MONTH. ADDITIONALLY, PARAPROFESSIONAL APPRECIATION DAY WAS ON APRIL 1ST. ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS DAY IS ON APRIL 22ND AND SCHOOL BUS DRIVER APPRECIATION DAY IS APRIL 28TH. WE GREATLY APPRECIATE THE MANY CONTRIBUTIONS OF OUR DEDICATED STAFF IN HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS. MADAM CHAIR, THAT CONCLUDES MY WELCOME AND I'LL TURN IT BACK OVER TO YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH, DOCTOR PACE, FOR THAT. WELCOME. [D. INSPIRATION] AND WE WILL NOW MOVE IN OUR AGENDA TO D INSPIRATION AND DOCTOR PACE. IT LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE SOME WONDERFUL INSPIRATION THIS EVENING. YES MA'AM WE DO. WE HAVE SOME WONDERFUL INSPIRATION AS WE CAN SEE. AND SOME RED, BLACK AND WHITE IN FRONT OF US FROM DUTCHTOWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. THE. THE DUTCH. YES. GIVE IT UP. GIVE IT UP FOR DUTCHTOWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHEER SQUAD. THIS IS OUR DUTCHTOWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHEER SQUAD LED BY MRS. MISS COURTNEY MACKEY AND PRINCIPAL DOUGLAS FLETCHER. AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO INVITE OUR CHEER [00:05:02] SQUAD UP TO THE FRONT TO GIVE US. GET US FIRED UP WITH SOME CHEERS. LET'S GET FIRED UP. IT'S ONE OF THEIR CHEERS. SO LET'S WELCOME UP OUR DUTCHTOWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHEER SQUAD. GIVE HIM ANOTHER ROUND OF APPLAUSE. FOR S S. G FIVE UP. LET'S G FIVE UP. LET'S G FIVE UP IN FIRE FOR H G S. LET'S KEEP FIVE UP. LET'S KEEP FIVE OUT. 5G555 FOR H C S. S. DOWN WITH US. YOU'VE GOT TWO. DOWN WITH US J A N, J A N WITH US. YOU'VE GOT TWO DOWN WITH US. JAM AND DOWN WITH US. YOU'VE GOT TWO DOWN WITH US J J A N JAM WITH US. YOU GOT TWO DOWN WITH US. JAM AND JAM WITH US. YOU'VE GOT TO JAM WITH US J J A N US. YOU'VE GOT TO JAM WITH US. JAM AND MOVE. LET'S GO GO GO GO GO. GO GO GO GO GO GO ON. ADVENTURE ROCK ROCK. ADVENTURE ROCK. GO GO GO GO. GO GO GO GO. GO GO GO GO. OKAY, LET'S GET FIRED UP. LET'S GET FIRED UP AND JAM WITH US. ONE MORE ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR OUR DUTCHTOWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHEER SQUAD. ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT. WE SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE LET OUR STUDENTS. WHEN WE LET THEM GO. HEY, WE. EVERYBODY HELD THEIR BREATH, BUT THEY SUCCEEDED. THEY DID NOT NEED US. WE TEACH THEM. THEY LEAD US. SO LET'S GIVE UP ONE MORE ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR DUTCHTOWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHEER SQUAD. OUTSTANDING. AND MADAM CHAIR, BEFORE I TURN IT OVER TO YOU. I THOUGHT THAT WAS A808. BUT THAT WAS OUR CHEER SQUAD STOMPING THEIR FEET. I THOUGHT IT WAS A 808 BASS HAPPENING. I'M FROM MIAMI, SO YOU KNOW, BUT I TURN IT BACK OVER TO YOU, MADAM CHAIR. NO, NO, NO THANK YOU, [E. AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS] DOCTOR PACE. THAT WAS AMAZING. AND WE WILL NOW MOVE TO E AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS. AND IT LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE SEVERAL THIS EVENING, DOCTOR PACE. YES, MADAM CHAIR, WE DO. AND I'D LIKE TO ASK THE BOARD TO JOIN US UP FRONT FOR OUR AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS. [00:10:15] GOOD EVENING. I'M KYLE SEARS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS, AND WE'LL BE FACILITATING AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS THIS EVENING. WE'LL BE RECOGNIZING STUDENTS, TEACHERS, LEADERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO CONTRIBUTE TO BUILDING BRIGHT FUTURES EVERY DAY ACROSS HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS. UP FIRST, THE GRIFFIN RESA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MATH CONTEST IS A REGIONAL COMPETITION AMONG ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IN THE EIGHT COUNTY GRIFFIN RESA. THIS YEAR'S COMPETITION, THE TIMBER RIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MATH TEAM, PLACED FIRST IN DIVISION THREE. COACHED BY MISS STACEY SALTER. TEAM MEMBERS INCLUDE MAHER SHAH, JEREMIAH DANESHI, ELLIOT ADEBAYO, BRAYLON MONTGOMERY AND OLIVIA ZHOU. THEY ARE ACCOMPANIED BY MISS SALTER AND THEIR PRINCIPAL, MISS HOLLY WILLIAMS. CONGRATULATIONS. CONGRATULATIONS. FIRST LINE UP IN FRONT RIGHT HERE. ADMINISTRATORS. NEXT, THE GRIFFIN RESA 2026 REGIONAL YOUNG GEORGIA AUTHORS WRITING COMPETITION IS SPONSORED BY THE GEORGIA LANGUAGE ARTS SUPERVISORS AND THE GEORGIA RESA NETWORK, WITH SUPPORT FROM THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. THIS REGIONAL COMPETITION IS OPEN TO STUDENTS IN GRADES K THROUGH 12 AND INCLUDES ALL TYPES OF WRITING SUCH AS SHORT STORIES, POETRY, ESSAYS, RESEARCH REPORTS AND OTHER FORMS. THE PURPOSE OF YOUNG GEORGIA AUTHORS IS TO ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO DEVELOP ENTHUSIASM FOR AND EXPERTISE IN THEIR WRITING, TO PROVIDE A CONTEXT TO CELEBRATE THEIR WRITING SUCCESSES, AND TO RECOGNIZE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT IN ARTS AND ACADEMICS. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS WINNERS. UP FIRST, THE GRADE SEVEN WINNER FROM EAGLES LANDING MIDDLE SCHOOL, MANAV RAO. IS ACCOMPANIED BY HIS PRINCIPAL, MISS SHAQUILLE HOLSEY. AND. THE GRADE EIGHT WINNER FROM HAMPTON MIDDLE SCHOOL, JAVON MASON. SAVION IS ACCOMPANIED BY HIS PRINCIPAL DOCTOR, LYDIA WILLIAMS. AND. THE GRADE TEN WINNER FROM WOODLAND HIGH SCHOOL, ARIANA MORELOS. ARIANA IS ACCOMPANIED BY HER PRINCIPAL, MR. PERVIS JACKSON. CONGRATULATIONS. ON. UP NEXT OUTSTANDING PROJECTS FROM THE 23RD HENRY REGIONAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING FAIR ADVANCED TO COMPETE AGAINST TOP ENTRIES FROM ACROSS GEORGIA AT THE NINTH ANNUAL GEORGIA COLLEGE AND STATE UNIVERSITY K-5 SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING FAIR IN MARCH. THIS YEAR'S [00:15:04] EVENT SHOWCASED MORE THAN 450 STUDENTS REPRESENTING OVER 100 SCHOOLS STATEWIDE. THE FOLLOWING HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS STUDENTS WERE AWARDED FIRST PLACE HONORS IN THE CATEGORY OF MATERIALS SCIENCE FROM FLIPPING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. SAMAR PATEL. WON. IN THE CATEGORY OF ENGINEERING MECHANICS FROM NEW HOPE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. SARAH BARTLETT. IS ACCOMPANIED BY HER PRINCIPAL DOCTOR, BRIDGETTE JORDAN. WHO. OUR THIRD FIRST PLACE WINNER COULDN'T BE HERE THIS EVENING IN THE CATEGORY OF BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES FROM PLEASANT GROVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, EMILY SWORD. UP NEXT, THE UNIVERSITY OF WEST GEORGIA MATH DAY 2026, HELD IN MARCH, BROUGHT TOGETHER HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FROM WEST GEORGIA AND THE METRO ATLANTA AREA FOR INDIVIDUAL AND TEAM MATHEMATICS COMPETITIONS. MORE THAN 300 STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN THIS HIGHLY COMPETITIVE EVENT WHERE DUTCHTOWN HIGH SCHOOL EARNED FIRST PLACE OVERALL BASED ON COMBINED TEAM SCORES, DEMONSTRATING OUTSTANDING MATHEMATICAL ACHIEVEMENT AND TEAMWORK. LED BY THEIR COACH, MISS RAJI. TEAM MEMBERS INCLUDE JAI GERALD, ANTHONY RAMIREZ, NOAH CHUKS, ASHER BARNES, MEG PATEL, SY PATEL, AUSTIN RAMIREZ, KRISH PATEL, SHREE LAL CO WIN, MASJID, MUHAMMAD, AQUA BOOK, FU VU, NATHAN LEE, DAVID BOWIE AND MARLON PRICE. THE TEAM IS ACCOMPANIED BY MISS RAJI AND THEIR PRINCIPAL, MR. TRAVIS CHAPMAN. I GOT BONES RIGHT THERE. I'M GOING TO HAVE YOU GO TO THE. ALRIGHT, COME ON OVER. THERE YOU GO. I HOPE HE'S GOING TO. YEAH YOU CAN. HOW YOU LOOKING? EVERYBODY LOOK AT THE CAMERA THIS WAY. OH, I DIDN'T SEE THAT. YET. ONE MORE MAY. I NEED YOUR FACE IN BETWEEN. DID YOU COME UP WITH. 3211 MORE. 321. UP NEXT WE'RE PROUD TO RECOGNIZE FOUR HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS WRESTLERS WHO WON INDIVIDUAL STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE WEIGHT CLASSES. UP FIRST, WINNING A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP IN THE 120 POUND WEIGHT CLASS IN CLASS QUAD A ASHTON AKINS FROM LOCUST GROVE HIGH SCHOOL. ASHTON, IS A COMPANY BY PRINCIPAL TONY TOWNSEND. PLEASE. GO FOR THE. 321. 321. WINNING A STATE [00:20:23] CHAMPIONSHIP IN THE 113 POUND WEIGHT CLASS IN CLASS QUAD A FROM OLA HIGH SCHOOL TIE. DANIEL. ACCOMPANIED BY PRINCIPAL ROD MAY. TWO ONE. ALSO FROM OLA HIGH SCHOOL, WINNING A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP IN THE 132 POUND WEIGHT CLASS IN CLASS QUAD A GABE EASY. CONGRATULATIONS. THREE. TWO. ONE. AND OLA HIGH SCHOOL'S THIRD STATE CHAMPION IN THE 190 POUND WEIGHT CLASS IN CLASS QUAD A XANDER DORSETT. I CAN'T TELL YOU. THANK YOU. UP NEXT, HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS HAD FOUR STUDENTS NAMED WINTER SPORTS PLAYERS OF THE YEAR FOR THEIR RESPECTIVE REGIONS. THEY INCLUDE UP FIRST THE REGION FIVE TRIPLE A GIRLS BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR FROM LUELLA HIGH SCHOOL, ANGEL THOMAS. ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL, ANTOINE MARIE. ONE MORE. TWO. ONE. CONGRATULATIONS. SHAKE YOUR HAND. OUR NEXT STUDENTS COULDN'T BE HERE THIS EVENING. THE REGION TWO QUAD, A FEMALE SWIMMER OF THE YEAR FROM UNION GROVE HIGH SCHOOL. VAL WILLIAMS. AND THE REGION TWO QUAD. A MALE SWIMMER OF THE YEAR, ALSO FROM UNION GROVE HIGH SCHOOL. JONAH VALENZUELA. UP NEXT, THE REGION TWO QUAD A GIRLS BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR FROM WOODLAND HIGH SCHOOL. JADA LITTLE. JADA IS ACCOMPANIED BY PRINCIPAL PERVIS JACKSON. TWO ONE. 321. OKAY, SEE YOU BACK. ADDITIONALLY, HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS HAD FIVE COACHES NAMED WINTER SPORTS COACHES OF THE YEAR FOR THEIR RESPECTIVE REGIONS. THEY INCLUDE FROM DUTCHTOWN HIGH SCHOOL, REGION THREE FIVE, A CO-COACHES OF THE YEAR IN SWIMMING. AARON HALEY AND CYNTHIA MOORE'S. [00:25:18] ONE. FROM LOCUST GROVE HIGH SCHOOL, REGION TWO QUAD A BOYS BASKETBALL COACH OF THE YEAR, CAMERON CLAYTON. FROM LUELLA HIGH SCHOOL, REGION FIVE TRIPLE A GIRLS BASKETBALL COACH OF THE YEAR. LATOYA BROWN. CONGRATULATIONS. 3211 MORE 321. AND WHEN WE OPEN UP OUR CONFERENCE YEAH EXACTLY. WE ALWAYS. AND FROM WOODLAND HIGH SCHOOL, REGION TWO QUAD A GIRLS BASKETBALL COACH OF THE YEAR, BIANCA USHER. YAY. 321. CONGRATULATIONS. CONGRATULATIONS. CONGRATULATIONS. FINALLY THIS EVENING, THE HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP ACADEMY CONSISTS OF CITIZENS FROM ACROSS OUR COMMUNITY WHO PARTICIPATED IN MONTHLY TRAINING SESSIONS. BEGINNING IN AUGUST 2025. MEMBERS LEARNED ABOUT KEY ASPECTS OF SCHOOL DISTRICT OPERATIONS, INCLUDING GOVERNANCE AND POLICY, TEACHING AND LEARNING. STUDENT SUPPORTS, FINANCE AND OPERATIONS, CULMINATING WITH ATTENDING TODAY'S BOARD MEETING. THIS YEAR'S CLASS OF THE HCS COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP ACADEMY INCLUDES ANISA JOHNSON, ASHLEY EDWARDS, BRANDON WILLIAMS, BRITTANY CARTER, DON BARBEE, DONNA MAYS BARNES, HANNAH GUERRERO KHALIA, FRENCH LATRICIA JONES, LINWOOD MILES JUNIOR, LUMI BAKER, MICHELLE GRICE, SEAN BASS, TAMMY DORSETT, TAWANA RANDALL, TAJUANA, NICOLE WEBB, TRACI THOMPSON, AND TRINITY ARCHER. LET'S GIVE THEM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE. TWO ONE. ONE MORE. 321. THANK. YOU. DOCTOR PACE. THIS CONCLUDES AN EXCEPTIONAL EVENING OF RECOGNITIONS OF OUR STUDENTS, TEACHERS, LEADERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS. [F. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - March 9, 2026] [00:30:21] WE WILL NOW MOVE TO ITEM F IN OUR AGENDA WHICH IS THE APPROVAL OF MINUTES. CAN I HAVE A MOTION PLEASE, TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM MARCH 9TH, 2026. MADAM CHAIR, I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES AS PRINTED FROM MARCH 9TH. THANK YOU, MR. MCDANIEL. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. THANK YOU, MISS EDWARDS. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. FIVE [G. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION] ZERO MINUTES ARE APPROVED. WE WILL NOW MOVE TO G. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. DOCTOR PACE, DO WE HAVE ANY PUBLIC PARTICIPANTS THIS EVENING? YES, MADAM CHAIR, WE DO HAVE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND I'D LIKE TO TURN IT OVER TO OUR PARLIAMENTARIAN, MISS RIDDELL. THANK YOU, DOCTOR PACE. THE PURPOSE OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IS FOR THE BOARD TO HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT REGARDING ITEMS ON THE POSTED AGENDA OR OTHER SUBJECTS PERTINENT TO THE BOARD AND THE HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS COMMUNITY. AS A REMINDER, THE WINDOW TO SIGN UP FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IS FROM 6 P.M. TO 6:55 P.M. IN THE LOBBY. FOR THOSE VIEWING AT HOME. PUBLIC COMMENTS MAY ALSO BE SUBMITTED AT PUBLIC COMMENTS AT HENRY DOT K 12 G.US. THOSE WHO HAVE SIGNED UP FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION HAVE AGREED TO THE FOLLOWING PARAMETERS GOVERNING THEIR PARTICIPATION. EACH SPEAKER WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO ADDRESS THE MEMBERS OF THE HENRY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION. UNUSED TIME MAY NOT BE GIVEN TO ANOTHER SPEAKER. THE BOARD IS EAGER TO HEAR EACH SPEAKER BUT WILL NOT RESPOND TO THE SPEAKER'S COMMENTS. EACH SPEAKER WILL RECEIVE FOLLOW UP IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT. STAFF SPEAKERS MAY NOT USE VULGAR OR INSULTING LANGUAGE. NAME A STUDENT OR EMPLOYEE INDIVIDUALLY, OR DISCUSS ANY CONFIDENTIAL MATTERS. ANY VIOLATION OF THESE PARAMETERS WILL RESULT IN A COURTESY REMINDER. ANY FURTHER VIOLATION WILL RESULT IN THE SPEAKER'S TIME BEING FORFEITED. SPEAKERS WILL BE CALLED IN THE ORDER THEY SIGNED UP UNTIL THE LAST SPEAKER IS CALLED. THIS EVENING. WE HAVE ONE SPEAKER, MR. KEN ROSS. AND MR. ROSS, AS YOU APPROACH, IF YOU'LL JUST MAKE YOU CAN KEEP COMING. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS A GREEN LIGHT ON AT THE BASE OF THAT MICROPHONE. YES, MA'AM. THERE IS. OKAY. YOU MAY PROCEED. OKAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH. GOOD EVENING, DOCTOR PACE. AND DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS OF THE HENRY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION. AS MENTIONED, MY NAME IS KEN ROSS, AND I'VE BEEN A SCHOOL BUS DRIVER FOR 17 YEARS, RETIRED, AND NOW I'VE BEEN DRIVING FOR NINE ADDITIONAL YEARS AS A PART TIME DRIVER. I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A SPECIAL NEEDS DRIVER, AND I HAVE ONE EXCITING THING TO COME IN ABOUT. THE FIRST ONE OF MY FIRST CHILDREN THAT I HAD WAS AUTISTIC AND NON-SPEAKING, AND HE IS NOW GRADUATING FROM COLLEGE NEXT MONTH. HE AND HE AND MY PARENT AND HIS PARENTS HAVE KEPT IN CONTACT OVER THE YEARS, AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING AN INVITATION TO HIS GRADUATION. HE'S IN A COLLEGE IN FLORIDA, SO I DON'T KNOW IF I'LL BE ABLE TO ATTEND. BUT ANYWAY, I'M DELIGHTED THAT HE'S GOING TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN FINISHING THAT UP. MY REASON FOR COMING TONIGHT WAS BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND THAT THE STATE OF GEORGIA, GOVERNOR KEMP, GAVE ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO THE COUNTIES TO DISTRIBUTE TO THEIR EMPLOYEES A REGULATED BUS. DRIVERS RECEIVE THIS MONEY, AND PART TIME BUS DRIVERS DID NOT. WE ARE JUST AS IMPORTANT TO THE SCHOOL SYSTEM AS THE REGULAR DRIVERS ARE. IN FACT, I DO A SPECIAL DRIVE TO MAKE IT EACH FRIDAY TO PICK UP THE SCHOOL. THE THREE STUDENTS WHO LIVE HERE IN MCDONOUGH FROM THE GEORGIA ACADEMY FOR THE BLIND. ANOTHER DRIVE DOWN ON SUNDAY TO RETURN THE CHILDREN. SO THAT IS PART OF MY EVERYDAY, I MEAN EVERY WEEK THING, BUT MY SUPERVISORS CAN CALL ME AT THE LAST MINUTE TO GO PICK UP A BUS SOMEWHERE AT SOME ONE OF THE SCHOOLS AND DRIVE THE AFTERNOON ROUTE FROM THAT SCHOOL. SO AS I'VE TOLD PEOPLE LOTS OF TIMES, IF IT HAD PAID MORE THAN WHAT IT DOES, I WOULD HAVE DONE THIS FOR MY LIFE'S WORK BECAUSE GOD GAVE ME THAT INSPIRATION TO TAKE CARE OF THESE CHILDREN BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO PROBLEM GETTING TOGETHER WITH ME, BECAUSE I CAN SHARE MY LOVE FOR THEM, JUST LIKE THEY SHARE THEIR LOVE FOR ME. SO I TRUST THAT YOU PEOPLE WILL RECONSIDER. IT'S NOT THAT MUCH MONEY, BUT IT MEANS A LOT TO SOMEONE WHO LIVES ON SOCIAL SECURITY AND OTHER SUPPLEMENTAL INCOME. SO AS FAR AS PART TIME DRIVERS, IT WOULD BE IMPORTANT THAT BE INCLUDED FOR THEM. AND I'LL CLOSE WITH ONE WORD FROM JERRY LAWSON. HE SAYS THERE ARE TWO DATES ON YOUR TOMBSTONE, THE DATE YOU WERE BORN, THE DAY YOU DIE. AND WHAT MATTERS IS THE DASH BETWEEN WITH WHAT YOU DO FOR YOUR LIFE. THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU, MR. ROSS. DOCTOR PACE, THAT CONCLUDES OUR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION FOR THIS [00:35:04] EVENING, AND I'LL TURN IT BACK OVER TO YOU. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. THAT CONCLUDES OUR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. THANK YOU SO MUCH, DOCTOR PACE. AND THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT. [H. BUSINESS ITEMS (Consent items determined at Study Session)] WE'LL NOW MOVE TO H, WHICH ARE OUR BUSINESS ITEMS. IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND OUR STUDY SESSION THIS AFTERNOON THAT STARTED AT 4 P.M. I WOULD INVITE YOU TO GO BACK AND HEAR THE DISCUSSION THAT HAPPENED AROUND EACH OF THESE ITEMS THAT ARE NOW ELIGIBLE FOR OUR CONSENT AGENDA. BUT AT THIS TIME, COULD I HAVE A MOTION, PLEASE, TO APPROVE OUR CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS H ONE THROUGH SIX. MADAM CHAIR, MAKE A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS. ITEMS H ONE THROUGH SIX. MY LORD. THANK YOU, MR. MCDANIEL. IS THERE A SECOND? THANK YOU, MRS. CARTER. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. FIVE ZERO CONSENT AGENDA IS APPROVED. CAN I HAVE A MOTION, PLEASE? TO APPROVE ITEM H SEVEN, THE HENRY COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS LAND CONVEYANCE RESOLUTION AS PRESENTED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. MADAM CHAIR, I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE THE HENRY COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS LAND CONVEYANCE RESOLUTION. THANK YOU. DOCTOR, IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. THANK YOU, MISS EDWARDS. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. FIVE ZERO. ITEM H SEVEN IS APPROVED. CAN I HAVE A MOTION, PLEASE? TO APPROVE BUSINESS ITEM H EIGHT PERSONNEL AS PRESENTED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM H EIGHT AS READ IN EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR PERSONNEL. THANK YOU, MISS CARTER, IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND. THANK YOU, MISS EDWARDS. ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND. FIVE ZERO PERSONNEL IS APPROVED AND WE WILL NOW MOVE TO I, OUR BOARD [I. BOARD-SUPERINTENDENT CLOSING REMARKS] SUPERINTENDENT. CLOSING REMARKS. DOCTOR NUTT, DO YOU WANT TO START US OFF TONIGHT? SURE. THANK YOU. THERE IS A LOT GOING ON. IN APRIL, WE HAD ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL MONTH, CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH, AND WE ALSO HAD HAVE A SCHOOL BUS DRIVER APPRECIATION DAY, WHICH IS THE 28TH OF APRIL. AND I'M VERY PROUD TO WEAR MY SCHOOL BUS TRANSPORTATION SHIRT. CONGRATULATIONS TO HAMPTON MIDDLE SCHOOL'S JESSICA LENTZ FOR BEING NAMED HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS 2026 MEDIA SPECIALIST OF THE YEAR. CONGRATULATIONS TO BETHLEHEM ELEMENTARY, THIRD PLACE WINNERS IN THE REGIONAL MATH COMPETITION AT GRIFFIN RESA. CONGRATULATIONS TO BETHLEHEM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING PRODUCTIONS IN THE HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS MEDIA FESTIVAL. ONE STUDENT EARNED A PERFECT SCORE. CONGRATULATIONS! CONGRATULATIONS TO ANGELA. I'M NOT EVEN GOING TO TRY YOUR LAST NAME BECAUSE I WILL BUTCHER IT. TOO BAD. BUT FOR BEING THE HAMPTON MIDDLE SCHOOL READATHON READER, CONGRATULATIONS TO VIRGIL BIRNEY OF HAMPTON HIGH SCHOOL ON HIS OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT OF GOVERNOR'S HONORS. FINALIST IN THE AREA OF THEATER ARTS, VIRGIL HAS MADE HISTORY AS THE FIRST STUDENT FROM HAMPTON HIGH SCHOOL TO RECEIVE THIS HONOR. CONGRATULATIONS, VIRGIL. HE IS ALSO THE FIRST FINE ARTS STUDENT FROM HAMPTON HIGH SCHOOL SELECTED TO ATTEND THE GOVERNOR'S HONORS PROGRAM. AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, I'D LIKE TO WISH GOOD LUCK TO THE LOCUST GROVE WILDCATS ON THEIR PLAYOFFS, WHICH BEGINS WEDNESDAY AT 4:00 AT THE WILDCAT DEN, SO PLEASE COME OUT AS A DOUBLE HEADER. SO PLEASE COME OUT AND CHEER FOR THE WILDCATS BECAUSE THEY THEY'RE GOING TO WIN ANOTHER RING. YO. SO. AND THAT'S ALL WE HAVE. WELL THAT'S JUST SOME OF WHAT'S DISTRICT ONE. THANK YOU SO MUCH DOCTOR ANNETTE MISS CARTER. LIKE DOCTOR NUT SAID THE MONTH OF APRIL HAS A LOT TO CELEBRATE. SO I JUST WILL HIGHLIGHT A FEW THINGS. JUST REALLY GRATEFUL FOR TO CELEBRATE OUR ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS. I KNOW THAT OUR SCHOOLS COULD NOT FUNCTION WITHOUT THEM, SO THEY ARE JUST AMAZING MENTORS AND LEADERS IN OUR SCHOOLS. SO THANKFUL FOR THEM. OUR PARAPROFESSIONAL APPRECIATION DAY. THEY'RE AMAZING TOO. I KNOW OUR TEACHERS AND SCHOOLS AND STAFF COULD NOT DO WITHOUT THEM. SO JUST THANKFUL FOR OUR PARAPROFESSIONALS. AND THEN NATIONAL SCHOOL LIBRARIAN DAY. JUST REALLY GRATEFUL FOR OUR LIBRARIANS. I KNOW THAT A LOT OF THE SCHOOLS HAVE VERY CREATIVE AND JUST EXCITING LIBRARIANS THAT JUST MAKE READING SO FUN FOR OUR CHILDREN. SO JUST GRATEFUL FOR THEM. AND THEN SCHOOL BUS APPRECIATION DAY, JUST SO THANKFUL FOR OUR [00:40:05] BUS DRIVERS WHO GET OUR KIDS TO AND FROM SCHOOL SAFELY. SO THANKFUL FOR THEM. AND THEN CONGRATULATIONS TO IMPACT ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR HANAN GRIMWOOD MOSS FOR BEING NAMED TO THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION'S 2026 GEORGIA SCHOLARS LIST. THAT'S EXCITING. THE CENTER FOR MODEL SCHOOLS RECENTLY NAMED HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS AND INNOVATIVE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND WILL RECOGNIZE AWARDEES AT THE 34TH ANNUAL MODEL SCHOOL CONFERENCE IN ORLANDO THIS SUMMER. SO CONGRATULATIONS TO THEM. AND THEN CONGRATULATIONS TO RICHARD HIMMELSBACH FROM EAGLES LANDING MIDDLE SCHOOL, WHO REPRESENTED HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS AT THE RECENT REGIONAL CIVICS, BE TAKING THIRD PLACE. SO CONGRATULATIONS TO HIM AND CAN'T BELIEVE WE'RE IN FIVE WEEKS OF SCHOOL LEFT. WE GOT THE WHOLE STRETCH OF MONTH OF MAY AND JUST GRATEFUL FOR WHAT A GREAT SCHOOL YEAR WE'VE HAD THIS YEAR. AND I HOPE WE HAVE A WONDERFUL ENDING. AND LIKE MISS TIAGO SAID EARLIER, LET'S HAVE THAT MAY ATTENDANCE MADNESS AND JUST FINISH STRONG. SO THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. THANK YOU, MRS. CARTER. MISS EDWARDS. LIKE EVERYONE ELSE, STATED THAT A LOT OF CALENDAR EVENTS AND HIGHLIGHTS FOR THIS MONTH, WHICH IS AWESOME. I WANT TO WELCOME EVERY EVERY EMPLOYEE BACK. I YOU EARNED THE REST THAT YOU GOT DURING SPRING BREAK. SO LET'S FINISH THIS YEAR WITH A BANG. I'M GOING TO HIGHLIGHT DUTCHTOWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. IT WAS RECOGNIZED AS A MATH LEADER FOR THE STATE BASED ON GEORGIA MILESTONE PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHT. RED OAK EARNED THE TRAILBLAZER AWARD FOR ACHIEVING A 75% PARTICIPATION RATE ON BEANSTACK. CONGRATULATIONS TO RED OAK AGAIN MEDIA TEAM FOR LEADING THIS EFFORT, AND A SPECIAL SHOUT OUT TO OUR TOP BEANSTACK READATHON WINNER WITH TWO. WITH 20,624 MINUTES READ FROM MRS. HOLLOWAY'S CLASS. WOW. THAT'S IMPRESSIVE. ALSO, DUTCHTOWN HIGH SCHOOL SOPHOMORE LOLA SIMONE STANLEY WAS RECENTLY NAMED THE WINNER OF THE HENRY COUNTY 2026 FOR FOUNDATION LEADER AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP X PRINCE FLEX COMPETITION. I ALSO WANT TO HIGHLIGHT STOCKBRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL. I HAD THE PLEASURE OF ATTENDING THEIR INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL EVENT A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO BEFORE SPRING BREAK, AND IT GETS BETTER EVERY YEAR. THEY. THEY CELEBRATE THE INTERNATIONAL DAY AND ALL OF THE COUNTRIES OR HAVE THEIR FLAGS AND THEIR FOOD AND THEY JUST CELEBRATE IN THE GYM AND THEY JUST HAVE A FANTASTIC, FANTASTIC TIME. I ALWAYS ENJOY ATTENDING THAT EVENT. CONGRATULATIONS, STOCKBRIDGE, FOR ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL YEAR. AND I WANT TO SAY I WANT I WISH YOU ALL A GREAT EVENING WHEN THIS MEETING ADJOURNED AND SAFE TRAVEL BACK TO YOUR BACK TO YOUR HOMES. THAT'S IT, MADAM CHAIR. THANK YOU, MRS. EDWARDS. MR. MCDANIEL. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. AND JUST TO ECHO WHAT MY COLLEAGUES SAID, YOU KNOW, THIS MONTH, THERE'S A LOT TO RECOGNIZE AND TO BE THANKFUL FOR. SO WE ARE THANKFUL FOR EVERYONE THAT TOUCHES OR INTERACTS WITH OUR SCHOLARS. AND WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT AND TO THOSE THAT ENTRUST US EVERY DAY, OR TRUST YOU EVERY DAY TO TEACH OUR OUR STUDENTS. CONGRATULATIONS TO ATHENA, YOU FOR BEING THE LUELLA ELEMENTARY READATHON WINNER. CONGRATULATIONS TO LUKE TROUTMAN FOR BEING THE HAMPTON ELEMENTARY'S READATHON WINNER FOR BEANSTACK. CONGRATULATIONS TO HAMPTON ELEMENTARY'S MATH TEAM FOR PLACING THIRD IN THEIR DIVISION AT THE GRIFFIN RESA MATH COMPETITION. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE HIGH SCHOOLS! IZZY MARTINEZ ON HER COMMITMENT TO BRUNEL UNIVERSITY. CONGRATULATIONS TO LUELLA HIGH SCHOOLS MORGAN JORDAN ON HER COMMITMENT TO HUNTINGDON COLLEGE. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE MCDONOUGH HIGH SCHOOL LADY HAWKETTES AS THEY ARE THE AREA SIX GIRLS LACROSSE CHAMPIONS. THIS IS THE FIRST LACROSSE CHAMPIONSHIP IN SCHOOL HISTORY. AND FINALLY I WANT TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS TO DUTCHTOWN HIGH SCHOOL'S MADDUX MUNSON AS HE WILL BE ATTENDING MOREHOUSE COLLEGE FOR BASKETBALL. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. THANK YOU, MR. MCDANIEL. DOCTOR PACE. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE INDIVIDUALS FROM WHEN THE BOARD TOOK ACTION ON PERSONNEL. LET ME START WITH WELCOMING VICTORIA BETHEL, DIRECTOR OF LEGAL COMPLIANCE MARCELINA CALDWELL S COORDINATOR. JOHN WOOD, COORDINATOR OF FINE ARTS. CONGRATULATIONS. WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR POSITIVE CONTRIBUTIONS IN YOUR NEW ROLES IN HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS. WE ALSO HAVE TWO OF OUR COLLEAGUES THAT ARE RETIRING, AND WE WISH THEM THE BEST. WE WISH THEM WELL AND WE THANK THEM FOR THEIR SERVICE AND THE MOST NOBLE AND HONORABLE PROFESSION THERE IS OF EDUCATION. I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE MISS LEE BRITTAIN, PRINCIPAL OF AUSTIN ROAD MIDDLE SCHOOL, AND MR. DAVID CARTER, [00:45:06] EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF NETWORK SERVICES. CAN WE GIVE THEM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE? THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. THAT CONCLUDES MY CLOSING REMARKS. THANK YOU SO MUCH, DOCTOR PACE. WE HAD A GREAT MEETING TONIGHT AND THERE'S ALWAYS SO MUCH TO CELEBRATE AND SO MUCH WONDERFUL WORK HAPPENING. I WANT TO CONGRATULATE A FEW THINGS HAPPENING AROUND OUR DISTRICT AS WELL, STARTING WITH PATE'S CREEK ELEMENTARY FOR REACHING THE TRAILBLAZER STATUS FOR THIS YEAR. FOR BEANSTACK, THIS IS THE HIGHEST LEVEL AND MEANS THAT WE HAVE 75% OR MORE STUDENT PARTICIPATION LOGGING MINUTES. SO KEEP READING. PATE'S CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. THAT'S WONDERFUL. ALSO, SEVERAL CONGRATULATIONS IN ORDER FOR DUTCHTOWN HIGH SCHOOL FOR THEIR FINE ARTS EXCELLENCE AT L G P E. THE SYMPHONIC BAND LED BY MISS MARTIN EARNED AN OVERALL SUPERIOR RATING WITH STRONG SITE READING SCORES, WHICH, IF YOU HAVEN'T WITNESSED SIGHT READING AT THE L G P E DAY COMPETITION, I'M NOT A FINE ARTS. I'M SORRY TO OFFEND YOU, DOCTOR BASE, BUT IT IS. IT IS UNBELIEVABLE THE TALENT THAT OUR STUDENTS HAVE. THE WIND ENSEMBLE, LED BY DOCTOR HARVEY, RECEIVED STRAIGHT SUPERIOR RATINGS IN BOTH PERFORMANCE AND SIGHT READING. THE DUTCHTOWN HARMONY STRINGS ORCHESTRA, LED BY MISS NICOLE, EARNED STRAIGHT SUPERIOR RATINGS IN THEIR DEBUT PERFORMANCE, AND THE CHORAL SOCIETY, LED BY MR. WILLIAMS, EARNED STRAIGHT SUPERIOR RATINGS AND PERFORMANCE AND AN EXCELLENT IN SIGHT READING. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR REPRESENTING US SO WELL. DUTCHTOWN HIGH SCHOOL. I HAD THE PRIVILEGE ON SATURDAY OF ATTENDING THE STATE COMPETITION FOR NATIONAL HISTORY DAY, AND YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN BLOWN AWAY BY THE PRESENCE OF HENRY COUNTY STUDENTS. IT WAS AMAZING. AND WHILE I DO BLEED MAROON AND GRAY AS A FORMER WOLVERINE OLA MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL BLEW IT OUT OF THE WATER AND I WAS SO PROUD, SO PROUD TO BE FROM HENRY COUNTY AS THEY HAVE COUNTLESS STUDENTS ADVANCING TO THE NATIONAL COMPETITION. AND SO THEY WILL REPRESENT US WELL IN DC THIS SUMMER. AND I WAS SO PROUD TO BE A PART OF THAT. AND SEEING AS WE HAVE NO FURTHER BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD, I WILL ADJOURN OUR MEETING AT 7:48 P.M. HAVE A GOOD NIGHT. THE CHAIR HAS ADJOURNED THE MEETING AND ATTENDEES CAN BEGIN TO EXIT AND LEAVE THE PROPERT * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.